This is it--1 day, 23 hours, 42 minutes until the Chicago Marathon. Overall I feel pretty good, well-rested and loose. I've got my massage scheduled for Saturday afternoon, I've got the house stocked with plenty of good food and I'm drinking plenty of water. In about an hour I'll head down to McCormick Place to pick up my race packet.
I'm a little concerned with the weather. According to weather.com we're looking at a high of 86 degrees on Sunday, with the temperature at the start of the race a balmy 65 degrees. For running 26.2 miles that's too damn hot. Hot enough that the marathon organizers sent out this weather advisory with a list of guidelines for running in hot weather. It's positively chock-full of useful advice like this:
If at ANY time your body gives you signals to slow down or stop, abide by them. Be aware of your heart rate, body temperature and hydration. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or overheated or experience chest pain, visual disturbances, cramping, vomiting or headache, slow down or stop and consult the medical personnel on the course immediately.
Oh boy.
For those of you with a voyeuristic streak the marathon offers something called "runner tracking." This allows you to monitor a runner at designated points along the way by having it sent via email or text to your mobile phone. The service sends updates at 15k, halfway, 35k and the finish line. So, if you'd like to follow my progress as you sit at the cafe enjoying another Mimosa, or a second helping of biscuits and gravy, just email me and I'll send you the info. Unfortunately the system isn't interactive, so I won't be able to tell you which of the above symptoms I've experienced along the way until after the race.
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On to today's Random Ten. Here's what it sounds like, if you're not familiar with the tracks:
Obscure electric delta blues, surf music, R&B from the "Sun" label in the early 50's, post-Sun 50's Elvis, 1940's folk music, 80's new wave/dance, Jack White's ego & Loretta Lynn's voice, old French lady, 70's POP MUSIC, 70's punk. There you have it.
Crawdad Hole—Jessie Mae Hemphill
Pipeline—Dick Dale
You Better Dig It—Bill Johnson
Playing For Keeps—Elvis Presley
Dead or Alive—Woodie Guthrie
Heart of Glass—Blondie
Have Mercy—Loretta Lynn
Fais Moi Valser—Edith Piaf
Take A Chance On Me—ABBA
Something's Gone Wrong Again—The Buzzcocks
18 comments:
Give it hell, Bubs! If you can draft off the Kenyans, do it. I'd run along with you, but I'm a big ol' slug.
Great list!
Did you ever see the Frankie and Annette spoof "Back to the Beach," that came out in the eighties? There's a great scene with Dick Dale and Stevie Ray Vaughn playing Pipeline. They had it on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWw55XhTehg
Check out Dick Dale's ridiculous hair!
Hey, is that first track the one that goes "you get a line and I'll get a pole"?
'Cause I love that song, my mom used to hum it while doing dishes when I was a child.
Bubs, I guess it's a little late to tell you this, but you really shouldn't run, or engage in any other form of exercise, for that matter.
It's really really bad for you.
Studies show.
You should sit down immediately and have a cig and a martini. You'll live longer.
Consider moving the marathon here - it might snow tonight.
God speed on Sunday. I'll be thinking of you as I cram some more turkey into my gullet.
Your random list is a fine example of really convering the board - well done, ipod.
Good luck! Don't forget to wear a cup!
well have fun - try not to exhaust yourself to much
Good luck, and stay as cool as you possibly can!
This will be good training for running in an Elvis suit in the middle of the desert!
Dude, seriously, good luck, I'm rooting for you.
Good luck, hope your nipples don't chafe too much!
Kirby, thanks. I may do a feature on the wonders of "Nip Guards"...heck, I might really disgust everyone and do an entire post on my anti-chafing strategy. I can hardly wait.
Dr MVM thanks!
Splotchy, that's what I was thinking. I never thought it would be colder in the LV Marathon than in Chicago.
Katy, thanks!
Grant Miller--holy shit, thanks for the reminder! In 2004 some crazy woman ran out at mile 20 and tried to kick me in the crotch. I might wear the protective goggles and shin guards as well.
Barbara, thanks. One of my running friends has mentioned some deranged race that takes place in the snow.
Vikki, thanks for your concern. I'm going out tomorrow to pick out my post-run cigar and stockpile some booze. A bottle of champagne followed by some tiki drinks. MizBubs is working on a proper post-race drink recipe.
Mob, yes it is. Jessie Mae Hemphill is great. She died in 2006, but she didn't start recording until the late 70's or early 80's. She's from northern Mississippi just south of Memphis.
Johnny, what a coincidence--that version that came up on the shuffle is the version you're talking about! Although, I gotta tell you, Back to the Beach is a movie I never finished. I saw it as soon as it came out on video and just hated it.
Chris, you're on the ski patrol. Running a marathon pales in comparison. I tried that drafting idea in 99 and 2004 but the Kenyans didn't get the memo.
去兄弟，去 (go Bubs, go)!
Ace of Sino Skies!
That should read of "the Sino Skies!"
WP, God bless you, you really liked that Chinese jet pilot quote didn't you?
I would have tracks 2,6and 9 on repeat. Odd choices, I know.
Don't forget your anti-nipple-chafe tape!
Good luck bubs. I'm amazed that your knees can take the hit.
on a side note, I checked out the Pipeline video and I think I know where Mike Campbell from the heartbreakers gets his hair styles. He's copying off of Dick Dale.
Good luck, Bubs! Run like hell! Break a leg! Er, no, wait, don't do that last one.
"WP, God bless you, you really liked that Chinese jet pilot quote didn't you?"
Aboslutely and why not? The very idea of you going over there and kicking ass? It would be better than any Jean Claude VanClamm flick!
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